March 22, 2015 “The Origin of Marriage”

“But from the beginning of the creation, God ‘made them male and female.‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife,and the two shall become one flesh’;so then they are no longer two, but one flesh.Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.” (Mark 10: 6-9)

Good morning and blessed Lord’s Day to all of you!

Yesterday, I had the honor of officiating at the wedding of a young couple from Indiana who, along with many friends and family, made the trip to Florida to be united in marriage along the beautiful Gulf coastline. Family and friends from all parts of the country were there…Florida, Indiana, Washington, California, Idaho, Massachusetts, Texas, Colorado, South Carolina, and a few others as well. All were there to witness those optimistic and heartfelt pledges of love and loyalty that this man and woman were making to one another. As I pronounced them husband and wife, I was once again reminded that what took place was much more than a civil ceremony. It was truly an act of worship taking place. This young couple had come together in accordance with God’s wonderful plan, for marriage between a man and a woman was ordained by God from the beginning of creation, as Jesus declared, and each of them recognized and acknowledged that fact in their wedding vows.

Recently, a major Protestant denomination took action that to many “redefined” the institution of marriage as it is found in scripture and has been traditionally understood for centuries. No matter how well intentioned such a reinterpretation may be, any person or ecclesiastical institution that presumes to redefine that which scripture speaks of with unmistakable clarity commits a grievous error with dire consequences. While understanding that scripture is always open to interpretation, as is evidenced by the plethora of various and sundry denominations, when scripture speaks plainly and authoritatively on a matter, as in the matter of marriage, such interpretations must always yield to the sheer authority of the Word, and the immutable decrees of the Creator. Christian author William Einwechter writes,

“Marriage is not a human invention, it is the creation of God; it did not originate in the mind of man, but in the mind of God. This being the case, man cannot change the definition or purpose of marriage to suit himself. The redefinition of marriage is the negation of marriage.”

Marriage is not a mere human institution. Its origin sprung from the mind of God, and therefore, its definition and its purpose as well, as clearly declared by Jesus: “From the beginning of the creation, God ‘made them male and female.’‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife,and the two shall become one flesh’; so then they are no longer two, but one flesh.Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.” Let’s pray!

Holy and Unchanging Lord of heaven and earth; Your ways are not our ways. Your thoughts are not our thoughts. Grant that we might have a true and clear understanding of Your will for our lives…that it is always for our benefit…and that we might live in accordance with it, for this we do pray in Jesus’ Name. Amen!